Moyes praises ´fast start´ in first win back as Everton manager

David Moyes was delighted with the fast start from his Everton side as they ran out 3-2 winners over Tottenham, which ensured his first win back as manager.

A blistering start at Goodison Park from the home side saw them take a three-goal lead at half-time after strikes from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye and an own goal from Archie Gray.

In fact, Everton led by three or more goals at half-time in a Premier League match at home for the first time since going in at the break 3-0 up vs Bournemouth in February 2017, under Ronald Koeman.

Spurs improved after the break and clawed two goals back through Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, against his old side, late on but the Toffees held on for a priceless victory, with Moyes especially delighted with the performance in the first half.

“Today we did a really good job, first half especially,” said Moyes to BBC Sport.

“We scored three, maybe could have scored a couple more, and then it was a case of could we get the fourth goal before they made it 3-1.”

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Moyes was pleased with the performance of Calvert-Lewin, who got Everton off and running with just his third league goal of the season.

He said: “I thought he was more of a handful for the centre-halves, more aggressive in his play and in his approach. He played more like a proper centre-forward.

“He could have probably scored another one today, but that’s a good start for him.

Calvert-Lewin himself was delighted to get on the scoresheet after a dry spell in front of goal, which included a poor miss in the dying minutes of the home defeat to Aston Villa in midweek.

It was his first goal in the Premier League since September 2024 (v Aston Villa), putting an end to a 16-match run without one in the competition. His goal was also his 57th in the competition overall, moving him above Tim Cahill (56) and into third for Everton, with only Romelu Lukaku (68) and Duncan Ferguson (60) scoring more in the competition for the Toffees than him.

“I am really pleased,” he told Sky Sports.

“It has been a tough patch for myself. I’m delighted with how we went today, we needed a win for the lads and the club.

“Everything clicked today. You go through periods where you’re not hitting the back of the net or getting the rub of the green. We were defensively solid and built from that.”